Minimizing paint splatter is high priority when painting a house or room, but when it comes to this DIY paint splatter manicure, the messier the better. Show off your creativity using the steps below.

What You’ll Need:

• White nail polish
• Two contrasting nail polish colors (I used Milani’s “Fresh Teal” and Sally Hansen’s “Fuchsia Power”)
• Paper plates
• Scissors
• Plastic drinking straw
• Clear top coat
• Cotton swabs
• Nail polish remover

The How-To:

1. Paint on two coats of white nail polish and let dry completely.
2. Choose the colored polish you would like to “splatter” on your nails first. Drop a small amount onto a paper plate, as shown above.
3. Cut a straw in half and dip one end into the polish, making sure to coat the entire hole of the straw.
4. Take a deep breath and blow into the straw. Don’t be alarmed if the polish gets on your skin – it happens.
5. Repeat steps 2 – 4 with the second colored polish.
6. Apply a clear top coat.
7. Clean off the excess polish around your nails and on your skin with cotton swabs and nail polish remover.

By Carolyn Schultz, Staff Writer

Have a manicure tip? Share in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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Have the latest news articles at your fingertips (literally) with the newspaper manicure. This mani is for everyone from the aspiring journalist to the average manicure-obsessed woman (myself included). Achieve this newsworthy look using the steps below.

What You’ll Need:

• Newspaper (I like to use the Style section)
• Scissors
• White or  grey nail polish (I used Sally Hansen’s White On)
• Small glass rubbing alcohol
• Clear top coat

The How-To:

1. Cut out ten small pieces of newspaper (enough to cover your entire nail) and set them aside.
2. Paint two coats of white or grey polish on your nails and let dry completely.
3. Soak one nail in the rubbing alcohol.
4. Place strip of newspaper on nail and hold for 15 seconds, making sure to press the whole nail.
5. Remove the newspaper from left to right. Doing this will keep the ink from smudging.
6. Repeat for all nails.
7. Finally, apply a clear top coat to keep the design in place.

By Carolyn Schultz, Staff Writer

Have a manicure tip? Share in the comments below or tweet us at @ruelala.

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.